Suction massage device



March 25, 1952 F. FLUCK 2,590,527

SUCTION MASSAGE DEVICE Filed April 22, 1948 Tll:l.l- 7

INVENTOR FRIDoL IN FL UCK Patented Mar. 25, 1952 SUCTION MASSAGE DEVICE 'Q' Ild rikilin Flu ck, Lucerne, Switzerland, assignor of p I one-half to Joseph Niedermann,Lucerne, Switzerland Application April 22, 1948, Serial No.- 22,640

-- 1 In Switzerland April 3, 1947 1 I v 6 Claims. (01.128-67) This invention relates to an apparatus for treating the body.

. Devices are known which operate toassist the blood stream under the skin tissues by a suction action. However, thesedevices have only a very limited action, since this action does not extend over a large area and, moreover, it can- I not be adapted sufliciently to the shapes of differentparts of the body. I

According 'to the present invention, an apparatus for treating the body is provided which not only stimulates the circulation of the blood under the skin, but simultaneously also produces a massage .eiiect, such apparatus comprising a plurality of suction cups arranged on a diaphragm which may be adapted to the shape of the body in such a manner that the latter is simultaneously influenced at several points by the suction action.

One embodiment of the invention is shown, by way of example, in the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Figure l is a longitudinal section through the apparatus when not in use,

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus in the suction position.

On to the suction tube I is screwed a pyramidal connection member 2 which is formed of a rigid material, e. g. metal, and constitutes a suction chamber which serves to hold the suction cap 3. The latter is formed as a diaphragm which is mounted on the edge of the connection member 2 by a flange 4 which extends completely around the diaphragm. The diaphragm, in order to fulfil its purpose, is made of an elastic material, e. g. rubber, and the flange 4 thereof is arranged to adhere tightly to the connection member 2 when the suction action is started. The diaphragm 3 has six tubular sockets 5 for receiving suction cups 6, which are preferably made of glass and, as illustrated, are intended to be inserted into the sockets 5 by their tips.

The free end of the suction tube l is provided with peripheral grooves I in order that a conical pipe 8, preferably of ductile material, e. g. rubber, may be pushed thereon. This pipe 8 serves as the connecting element to a suction pipe, for example, to the connection nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, vacuum pump or like device.

It is not necessary for the diaphragm 3 to have six sockets for the suction cups, as obviously a greater or lesser number may be provided.

If not all or only a single suction cup 6 is to be used, the sockets 5' that are not in use may be closed by stoppers. v

The apparatus is used by being placed on the part of the body that is to be treated and, by the suctional force of the suction cups, has the effect of stimulating the blood circulation. Due to the provision of a plurality of such suction cups, this effect is produced over an area and, by moving the apparatus over the part of the body, this areaeffect is assisted by the massage action thus obtained. v

For producing thesuction action, motor-driven aspirators provided expressly for the purpose may be used. .The apparatus may, however, also be connected to a vacuum cleaner, which is available in 'most households, to a vacuum pump or to an injector operated by the water main.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. A suction massage device, comprising in combination a suction chamber; a flexible cover located over said suction chamber and being formed with a plurality of openings therein; and a plurality of elongated suction cups each being formed with a passage extending therethrough along the length thereof, each of said suction cups having one open end substantially larger than the other open end thereof, and each of said suction cups being respectively connected at its smaller end to one of said openings of said flexible cover.

2. A suction massage device, comprising in combination, a suction chamber made of a rigid material; a flexible resilient cover located over said suction chamber and being formed with at least one opening therein, said cover being removably mounted on said rigid suction chamber; and at least one elongated suction cup formed with a passage extending therethrough along the length thereof, said suction cup having one open end substantially larger than the'other open end thereof, and said suction cup being connected at its smaller end to said opening of said flexible cover.

3. A suction massage device, comprising in combination, a suction chamber made of a rigid material; a flexible resilient cover located over said suction chamber and being formed with a plurality of openings therein, said cover having a flange embracing said chamber so that said flexible cover is removably mounted on said rigid suction chamber; a plurality of rigid elongated suction cups each being formed with a passage extending therethrough along the length thereof, each of said suction cups having one open end substantially larger than the other open end thereof, and each of said suction cups being respectively removably connected at its smaller end to one of said openings of said flexible cover; and a suction tube threadedly connected to said rigid suction chamber.

4. A suction massage device, comprising in combination, a suction chamber; a flexible cover located over said suction chamber and being formed with a plurality of openings therein; and a plurality of rigid elongated suction cups each being formed with a passage extending therethrough along the length thereof, each of said suction cups having one open end substantially larger than the other open end thereof, and each of said suction cups being respectively removably connected at its smaller end to one of said openings of said flexible cover, said larger open ends b: said suction cups causing 'a suction force produced in said chamber to be applied over a considerably larger area than the total area of said openings in said "flexible cover.

5. A suction massage device, comprising in combination, "a suction chamber made of "a rigid material; a flexible resilient cover located over saidfsuction chamber and being formed with a plurality of openings therein, said cover havin a flange embracing said chamber so that said flexible cover is removably mounted on said rigid suction chamber; a plurality of rigid elongated suction cups each being ramed with a passage extending 'therethroughalong the length thereof, each of said suction cups having one open end substantially larger than the other open end thereof, and each of said suction cups being respecuvely'i-emovabiy'conneeted'at its smaller end to one of said openings'offsaid flexible cover, said larger open ends of saiasueuon cups causing a suction force produced in said chamber to be applied over a considerably larger area than the total area of said openings in said flexible cover; and a suction tube threadedly connected to said rigid suction chamber.

6. A suction massage device, comprising in combination, a suction chamber made of a rigid material; a flexible resilient cover located over said suction chamber and being formed with a plurality of openings therein, said cover having a flange embracing said chamber so that said flexible cover is removably mounted on said rigid suction chamber; a plurality of rigid elongated glass suction cups each being formed with a passage extending therethrough along the length thereof, each of said suction cups having one open end substantially larger than the other open end thereof, and each of said suction cups being respectively removably connected at its smaller end to one of said openings of said flexible cover, said larger open ends of said suction cups causing a suction force produced in said chamber to be applied over a considerably larger area than the total area of said openings in said flexible cover; and a suction tube threadedly connected to said rigid suction chamber.

FRIDOLIN FLUCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 946,837 Common Jan. 18, 1910 1,062,053 Strong May 20, 1913 1,179,129 Maxam Apr. 11, 1916 1,294,284 Logeman Feb. 11, 1919 1,462,400 Warren July 1'7, 1923 1,755,936 Stanley Apr. 22, 1930 2,063,084 Farnon Dec. 8, 1936 2,338,339 La Mere et 'al Jan. 4, 1944 

